February
and March 2014 saw some of the worst weather on record, with much of
the UK battered by high winds and flooding in a series of storms.

North
Wales was no exception with Portmeirion suffering a battering the like
of which had not been seen for many years, with high winds and flooding
both threatening the buildings and woodland.

The
Unmutual Website is delighted to say that structurally the village came
through unharmed, but sadly the woodland saw nearly 100 trees lost to
the high winds (with several large trees on the drive leading to the
village also felled by hurrican force gales).

White
Horses cottage (below) also did not escape, and was flooded by over
a metre of water, leading to new flood defences being built on the path
which runs to the lighthouse and also a complete refurbishment of the
interior of the cottage.

Also
in the news at Portmeirion is the news that the Golden Dragon Bookshop
(underneath Neptune Suite) has now moved across the way to what was
formerly the Cadwalladers Ice Cream parlour, with the old bookshop becoming
a "Angel Ices", Portmeirion's own manufactured and dispensed
ice cream store.

Other
additions in the village in recent months also include a new plaque
on the Hercules statue celebrating the summer of 2013. Click HERE
for more photos and information.

With
thanks to Al Jones and Helen Weathers for this news item. Images (c)
Al Jones and Kiki Abgral.